Mavericks sustain surge
DALLAS — The Dallas Mavericks rallied after a stuttering start to extend their league-leading winning streak to 13 games with a 96-87 victory over the New Jersey Nets on Wednesday.
Jason Kidd recorded 20 points and nine assists as the Mavs survived an off-night by Dirk Nowitzki to overturn an 18-point second-quarter deficit.
"Our defensive disposition was stronger, we were more physical and we were more alert," Mavericks head coach Rick Carlisle said of his team’s third quarter performance.
In other games on Wednesday, it was Charlotte 102; Philadelphia 87; Memphis 111, Boston 91; Utah 115, Detroit 104; Miami 108, LA Clippers 97; Denver 110, Minnesota 102; Oklahoma City 98, New Orleans 83; San Antonio 97, NY Knicks 87; and Sacramento 113, Toronto 90.
Dallas (45-21) matched the Cleveland Cavaliers for the longest win streak in the league this year and moved within two games of the Los Angeles Lakers for the best record in the Western Conference.
Devin Harris tallied 21 to lead New Jersey (7-57), who scored 17 of the first 20 points and looked to be on their way to a rare victory before Dallas forced their way back into the game.
Shawn Marion grabbed 13 rebounds and scored eight of his 14 points in the third period as the Mavericks took a 31-15 advantage to take control of the game.
Nursing an 87-85 edge with 3:09 to go, Dallas ended the game on a 9-2 run.
Nowitzki finished the game just 3-for-16 from the field but the Nets refused to take all the credit for his poor shooting.
"There’s no defense to stop Dirk. Either he’s going to make shots or miss shots, but I thought we at least made him take tough shots," Nets head coach Kiki Vandeweghe told reporters.
The Mavericks were playing without guards Jason Terry, who has had facial surgery, and Jose Juan Barea, who has an ankle sprain.
Dallas did bring back centers Brendan Haywood and Erick Dampier, who had missed 12 games due to a dislocated finger. Haywood was in the starting lineup and finished with 11 points and 10 rebounds.
The Mavs also got a boost from rookie Rodrigue Beaubois, who contributed 16 points.
Terrence Williams scored 18 and added 13 rebounds for the Nets, who have lost nine of their last 11 and need three more wins to avoid matching the 1972-73 Philadelphia 76ers for the league’s worst season record.